Diane Abbott to headline anti-racism conference

HEADLINE SPEAKER: Diane Abbott has been confirmed as a guest at the international anti-racism conference

DIANE ABBOTT has been named as one of the headline speakers at an international anti-racism conference.

Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, will speak at the event on Saturday October 20.

Labour MP John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor of the exchequer, will also be one of the headline guests speaking at the conference.

In a statement, Stand Up To Racism, said: “With many looking to how we can build a mass anti-racist and united movement to stop the rise of the far right, the conference can be a building block in an autumn of action, leading up to the national unity demonstration on Saturday 17 November now backed by the TUC, called by Stand Up To Racism, Unite Against Fascism and supported by Love Music Hate Racism.”

Kevin Courtney, NEU joint general secretary, said: “The TUC has supported the call for a unity demonstration on 17 November, for unity of our society, for unity of Black and white, for unity of Christians, Muslims, Jews and atheists. Given the threat to cohesion from Tommy Robinson’s Islamophobia,this demonstration is timely and vital.”

Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up To Racism, said: “This year we have seen some of the biggest fascist demonstrations in decades, supported by the international alt-right. The labour movement’s support for anti-racism and anti-fascism is crucial. We are delighted that the TUC today voted to support the national unity demonstration against fascism and racism on Saturday 17 November.”

The conference in October will bring together anti-racists and anti-fascists from across Europe to debate how mass movement can be built.

Abbott and McDonnell will be joined on the bill of guests by a host of others both from the anti-racist and anti-fascist movement here, and across Europe.

The event will aim to draw lessons on how to combat the growth of the far right and fascist forces.